U.S. patent application number 14/673580 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for motorized interchangeable lens system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Xing Du. Invention is credited to Xing Du.
Application Number | 20160223783 14/673580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54746448 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160223783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Du; Xing |
August 4, 2016 |
MOTORIZED INTERCHANGEABLE LENS SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a motorized lens tray
for a multi-focal length lens imaging system. In particular, a lens
trays holds a variety of fixed focal length lenses, and a motorized
mechanism moves the lens tray to align the desired lens with an
imaging unit. This provides the flexibility to change focal lengths
without the complexity, size, weight, and image quality degradation
associated with a zoom lens. Certain embodiments of the invention
are intended for use with digital cameras and cellular phones.
Inventors: |
Du; Xing; (Newport Beach,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Du; Xing |
Newport Beach |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54746448 |
Appl. No.: |
14/673580 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14612253 |
Feb 2, 2015 |
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14673580 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/23296 20130101;
G02B 13/009 20130101; G02B 7/16 20130101; H04N 5/2254 20130101;
H04N 5/2258 20130101; G02B 7/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 13/00 20060101
G02B013/00; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225; H04N 5/232 20060101
H04N005/232 |
Claims
1. A powered interchangeable lens system comprising: a first planar
lens tray comprising: an optical entrance where incoming light
enters said first planar lens tray, an optical exit where outgoing
light exits said first planar lens tray, a first optical channel
arranged within the first planar lens tray between said optical
entrance and said optical exit, wherein said first optical channel
contains zero or more optical elements; an incoming reflector
arranged to redirect incoming light toward said first optical
channel; a first motor configured to move said first planar lens
tray and align said optical exit into a desired position.
2. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1, wherein said
first planar lens tray is circular, and said first motor is
configured to rotate said circular first planar lens tray.
3. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 2 further
comprising: a hole through the geometric center of said circular
first planar lens tray, creating an inside edge and an outside edge
of said circular first planar lens tray; a second optical channel
arranged inside said hole such that said second optical channel
stays fixed when said first motor moves said first planar lens tray
to align said optical exit into a desired position.
4. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 3 further
comprising: a third optical channel positioned directly across said
hole from said first optical channel such that said first optical
channel, said second optical channel, and said third optical
channel align when said optical exit is aligned in a desired
position.
5. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 2 further
comprising: a hole through the geometric center of said circular
first planar lens tray, creating an inside edge and an outside edge
of said circular first planar lens tray; wherein said optical
entrance is placed at the inside edge of said circular first planar
lens tray; and wherein said incoming reflector is arranged inside
said hole such that incoming light is redirected into said optical
entrance when said optical exit is aligned into a desired
position.
6. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 2 further
comprising: a hole through the geometric center of said circular
first planar lens tray, creating an inside edge and an outside edge
of said circular first planar lens tray; wherein said optical exit
is placed at the inside edge of said circular first planar lens
tray.
7. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 6 further
comprising an imaging element arranged inside said hole such that
outgoing light from said optical exit is directed toward said
imaging element when said optical exit is aligned in a desired
position.
8. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 6 further
comprising an outgoing reflector arranged inside said hole such
that outgoing light from said optical exit is redirected when said
optical exit is aligned into a desired position.
9. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 2 further
comprising two or more points of entry for light, wherein said
points of entry are arranged at different distances from the
geometric center of said circular first planar lens tray.
10. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 wherein:
said optical entrance is placed at the outer perimeter of said
first planar lens tray; and said incoming reflector is arranged
outside the outer perimeter of said first planar lens tray such
that incoming light is redirected into said optical entrance when
said optical exit is aligned into a desired position.
11. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 wherein said
optical exit is placed on the outer perimeter edge of said planar
lens tray.
12. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 11 further
comprising: an imaging element placed outside the outer perimeter
edge of said planar lens tray such that outgoing light exiting said
optical exit strikes said imaging element when said optical exit is
aligned in a desired position.
13. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 11 further
comprising: an outgoing reflector; wherein said outgoing reflector
is arranged outside the outer perimeter edge of said first planar
lens tray such that outgoing light from said optical exit is
redirected when said optical exit is aligned into a desired
position.
14. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 wherein said
incoming reflector is embedded in said first planar lens tray at
said optical entrance.
15. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 further
comprising: a second planar lens tray having one or more optical
window openings creating holes through a plane of said lens tray,
and at least one of said optical window openings configured to hold
an optical element within said second planar lens tray, and a
second motor configured to move said second planar lens tray and
align one of said two or more optical window openings into a
desired position.
16. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 further
comprising: a second planar lens tray comprising: a second optical
entrance where incoming light enters said second planar lens tray,
a second optical exit where outgoing light exits said second planar
lens tray, a second optical channel arranged within the second
planar lens tray between said second optical entrance and said
second optical exit, wherein said second optical channel contains
one or more optical elements; an intermediate reflector arranged to
redirect light exiting said first lens tray toward the second
optical entrance of said second lens tray; a second motor
configured to move said second planar lens tray and align said
second optical exit into a desired position.
17. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 further
comprising two or more imaging elements.
18. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 further
comprising: a second optical channel, and a double reflector
configured to redirect light from said first optical channel 180
degrees and into said second optical channel.
19. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 18 further
comprising a second reflector configured to receive light parallel
to said plane defined by the planar lens tray and redirect said
light to be perpendicular to said plane defined by the planar lens
tray.
20. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 wherein said
optical channel passes through the geometric center of said planar
lens tray.
21. The powered interchangeable lens system of claim 1 further
comprising: an optical window opening creating a hole through said
first planar lens tray, and configured to hold an optical element
within said first planar lens tray, and an outgoing reflector
embedded in said lens tray at the optical exit such that said
optical channel can share the same imaging element with said
optical window opening.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/612,253, entitled
"Motorized Interchangeable Lens System" filed Feb. 2, 2015, the
contents of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a motorized lens
tray for a multi-focal length lens imaging system. In particular, a
lens trays holds a variety of fixed focal length lenses, and a
motorized mechanism moves the lens tray to align the desired lens
with an imaging element. This provides the flexibility to change
focal lengths without the complexity, size, weight, and image
quality degradation associated with a zoom lens. Certain
embodiments of the invention are intended for use with digital
cameras, camcorders, and cellular phones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] With the advent of digital cameras, people can better
capture memories and communicate points of view. Current technology
enables pictures to be easily and conveniently previewed, taken,
and reviewed. Digital photography has made cameras compact,
portable, and low-powered. However, certain trade-offs are often
associated with the portability that miniaturization brings,
somewhat undermining the benefits of a readily accessible form of
image-capture.
[0004] Specifically, zoom lenses appear at first to be versatile
and provide more interesting images than prime lenses. A prime lens
has a fixed focal length, so a user must adjust his or her relative
position to get a desired image. This can impede the capture of an
image if there is not enough physical space to properly frame the
desired image. In contrast, a user is able to transition from a
wide-angle view to a telephoto view with a single zoom lens without
the need to physically move and thus capture alternative views.
However, at the expense of such flexibility, the image quality from
a zoom lens is considerably poorer than that from a prime lens.
Part of this loss of image quality can sometimes be attributed to
constraints on the range of aperture sizes available in a zoom
lens. Generally a narrower aperture is unsuitable for low light
situations and the resulting photo may appear blurry. Poorer image
quality is also due in part to more glass for light to travel
through. Additional glass has the effect of altering the light,
leading to some degradation of the light. In contrast, a prime lens
preserves the integrity of an image by virtue of its simple design.
A prime lens has one focal length and fewer moving parts than a
zoom lens that yield an image of maximum sharpness.
[0005] Additionally, for a camera module to provide zoom lens
capability, the internal construction of the lens is rather
complicated. For example, zoom lenses generally have over hundreds
of individual parts. Therefore, one poorly machined part may
squander the financial investment in the zoom lens, whether at the
manufacturing stage or the commercial stage. Also, zoom lenses tend
to be bulky and heavy, making them infeasible where portability is
paramount.
[0006] Prime, or fixed focal length, camera lenses typically
provide higher quality images than zoom or variable focal length
lenses. Prime lenses also tend to be more compact and light weight
than zoom lenses. In many modern imaging devices, particularly
mobile phones, compactness is of utmost importance, making zoom
lenses somewhat impractical. Therefore, some flexibility regarding
varying focal lengths is typically sacrificed in mobile devices.
However, the current invention is aimed at providing the high
quality of images resulting from the use of prime lenses along with
the convenience of having multiple focal lengths of a zoom
lens.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the arts for a camera feature
that allows for the versatility of a zoom lens with the image
reproducing capabilities, light weight, and compactness of a prime
lens. These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled
in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a motorized interchangeable lens system comprising the
following:
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
powered interchangeable lens system comprises: a first planar lens
tray comprising: an optical entrance where incoming light enters
the first planar lens tray, an optical exit where outgoing light
exits the first planar lens tray, a first optical channel arranged
within the first planar lens tray between the optical entrance and
the optical exit, wherein the first optical channel contains zero
or more optical elements; an incoming reflector arranged to
redirect incoming light toward the first optical channel; a first
motor configured to move the first planar lens tray and align the
optical exit into a desired position.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
first planar lens tray is circular, and the first motor is
configured to rotate the circular first planar lens tray.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a hole
through the geometric center of the circular first planar lens
tray, creating an inside edge and an outside edge of the circular
first planar lens tray; a second optical channel arranged inside
the hole such that the second optical channel stays fixed when the
first motor moves the first planar lens tray to align the optical
exit into a desired position.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a third
optical channel positioned directly across the hole from the first
optical channel such that the first optical channel, the second
optical channel, and the third optical channel align when the
optical exit is aligned in a desired position.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a hole
through the geometric center of the circular first planar lens
tray, creating an inside edge and an outside edge of the circular
first planar lens tray; wherein the optical entrance is placed at
the inside edge of the circular first planar lens tray; and wherein
the incoming reflector is arranged inside the hole such that
incoming light is redirected into the optical entrance when the
optical exit is aligned into a desired position.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a hole
through the geometric center of the circular first planar lens
tray, creating an inside edge and an outside edge of the circular
first planar lens tray; wherein the optical exit is placed at the
inside edge of the circular first planar lens tray.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises an imaging
element arranged inside the hole such that outgoing light from the
optical exit is directed toward the imaging element when the
optical exit is aligned in a desired position.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises an outgoing
reflector arranged inside the hole such that outgoing light from
the optical exit is redirected when the optical exit is aligned
into a desired position.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises two or more
points of entry for light, wherein the points of entry are arranged
at different distances from the geometric center of the circular
first planar lens tray.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
optical entrance is placed at the outer perimeter of the first
planar lens tray; and the incoming reflector is arranged outside
the outer perimeter of the first planar lens tray such that
incoming light is redirected into the optical entrance when the
optical exit is aligned into a desired position.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
optical exit is placed on the outer perimeter edge of the planar
lens tray.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: an imaging
element placed outside the outer perimeter edge of the planar lens
tray such that outgoing light exiting the optical exit strikes the
imaging element when the optical exit is aligned in a desired
position.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: an outgoing
reflector; wherein the outgoing reflector is arranged outside the
outer perimeter edge of the first planar lens tray such that
outgoing light from the optical exit is redirected when the optical
exit is aligned into a desired position.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
incoming reflector is embedded in the first planar lens tray at the
optical entrance.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a second
planar lens tray having one or more optical window openings
creating holes through a plane of the lens tray, and at least one
of the optical window openings configured to hold an optical
element within the second planar lens tray, and a second motor
configured to move the second planar lens tray and align one of the
two or more optical window openings into a desired position.
[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a second
planar lens tray comprising: a second optical entrance where
incoming light enters the second planar lens tray, a second optical
exit where outgoing light exits the second planar lens tray, a
second optical channel arranged within the second planar lens tray
between the second optical entrance and the second optical exit,
wherein the second optical channel contains one or more optical
elements; an intermediate reflector arranged to redirect light
exiting the first lens tray toward the second optical entrance of
the second lens tray; a second motor configured to move the second
planar lens tray and align the second optical exit into a desired
position.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises two or more
imaging elements.
[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: a second
optical channel, and a double reflector configured to redirect
light from the first optical channel 180 degrees and into the
second optical channel.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises a second
reflector configured to receive light parallel to the plane defined
by the planar lens tray and redirect the light to be perpendicular
to the plane defined by the planar lens tray.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
optical channel passes through the geometric center of the planar
lens tray.
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
powered interchangeable lens system further comprises: an optical
window opening creating a hole through the first planar lens tray,
and configured to hold an optical element within the first planar
lens tray, and an outgoing reflector embedded in the lens tray at
the optical exit such that the optical channel can share the same
imaging element with the optical window opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motorized interchangeable
lens system with an annular lens ring with an attached motor
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a motorized interchangeable
lens system with multiple annular lens rings with attached motors
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a motorized interchangeable
lens system with a single rectangular lens tray having a single
array of lenses according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a motorized interchangeable
lens system with a single rectangular lens tray having multiple
arrays of lenses according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a motorized interchangeable
lens system with multiple rectangular lens trays, each having
multiple arrays of lenses according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a cutaway side view of a stack of lenses that may
be placed in optical window opening of a lens tray according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 7a shows an arrangement of a lens tray, a reflector,
and an imaging unit arrangement according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 7b shows an alternate arrangement of various lens trays
and an imaging unit arrangement according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 7c shows a sector-shaped lens tray, a reflector, and a
rectangular lens tray on different plane from the sector shaped
lens tray, and an imaging unit arrangement according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 7d shows a rectangular lens tray, a reflector, a barrel
shaped lens tray, and an imaging unit arrangement according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 7e shows a dual rectangular lens tray, reflector, and
imaging unit arrangement according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 7f shows a rectangular lens tray, a reflector, an
imaging unit and a flexible band lens tray arrangement according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 7g shows a series of lens optical window openings
arranged on the inside surface of a flexible band lens tray, a
reflector and an imaging unit according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram of how two lenses in separate lens trays
would work together to produce a desired result according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a circular lens tray with magnetic
motor and a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view of a magnetic motor for
moving two circular lens trays according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0046] FIG. 11 shows an iris aperture arranged between two circular
lens trays according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 12 is block diagram showing the integration of the
motorized interchangeable lens system with a mobile imaging unit
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing how camera software
integrated with the motorized interchangeable lens system
interprets user inputs and translates them into the appropriate
lens tray positions.
[0049] FIG. 14 shows an alternate lens tray with a centrally
located reflector for accommodating lens combinations producing
long focal lengths according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0050] FIG. 15 shows an alternate lens tray for accommodating lens
combinations producing long focal lengths according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 16 shows an alternate lens tray with an elongated
camera window for accommodating multiple light entry points
required for certain lens combinations producing long focal lengths
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 17 shows an alternate lens tray with multiple imaging
units for accommodating lens combinations producing long focal
lengths according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 18 shows an alternate lens tray with multiple movable
optical channels, and with a reflector and an imaging element
placed outside the moving lens tray according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 19 shows an alternate lens tray with an extended
optical channel passing through the geometric center of the lens
tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 20 shows an alternate lens tray with multiple pairs of
optical channels arranged around an empty hole in the geometric
center of the lens tray according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 21 shows an alternate lens tray with multiple pairs of
optical channels arranged around a central optical channel fixed in
the geometric center of the lens tray according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
[0057] A motorized interchangeable lens system according to the
current invention includes at least one lens tray, a motor, a motor
controller, and may also include an imaging element. The motorized
interchangeable lens system is designed to be incorporated into a
mobile device, camera, camcorder, or other imaging device. The lens
tray has formed within it, a plurality of optical window openings
or holes. A optical window opening may hold an optical element such
as a lens, lens stack, lens cover, or an optical filter, or an
optical window opening may be empty. Empty optical window openings,
or optical window openings not holding an optical element can be
useful for a variety of reasons which will become apparent through
this detailed specification. According to one embodiment, empty
optical window openings allow a lens to be used in isolation
without being combined with other lenses. Empty optical window
openings may also allow for attachment of modular lenses to the
outside of the imaging device. Other than any empty optical window
openings, each optical window opening contains a lens or lens stack
of a different focal length or a different optical filter. This
allows for the flexibility of having a variety of different focal
length lenses to be included in a compact device without requiring
the complexity, size, and weight of a zoom lens. Since the size,
thickness and diameter of each prime lens varies in order to
provide the desired focal length, the diameters of each optical
window opening also vary.
[0058] Lenses or lens stacks may comprise H-cut lenses, D-cut
lenses, rectangular lenses, or lenses of any shape. Lenses of
different shapes, such as H-cut lenses, can allow lens tray space
to be used more efficiently and effectively. Lens stacks may
optionally include photographic filters or other light refracting
elements that produce color or geometric effects on the light. One
of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any lens, filter,
or optical element may be used without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
[0059] The present invention can be useful for creating a compact
multi-focal length lens imaging system that is waterproof because
the moving parts can be completely enclosed inside a waterproof
case. No moving parts would need to be directly exposed to water,
greatly simplifying the construction and reliability of a multi
focal length lens imaging system that can be used under water.
[0060] The motorized interchangeable lens system may contain two or
more lens trays. Each tray moves individually and independent of
any other trays that are present. Therefore, lenses from each tray
can be combined to achieve a greater variety of photographic or
optical effects. For example, if Lens A of Lens Tray 1 is paired
with Lens B of Lens Tray 2, the result may be a more powerful
convergence or divergence of light. In another embodiment, Lens
Tray 1 may contain lenses or a group of lenses while Lens Tray 2
may contain a variety of photographic filters. Lens A of Lens Tray
1 may pair with a infrared filter on Lens Tray 2 for night vision
purposes. Accordingly, a variety of combinations may be achieved
among optical elements to produce many photographic
possibilities.
[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
interchangeable lens system is combined with a software user
interface which facilitates choosing the correct optical element
combination for a given situation or according to user commands.
These features will be described in greater detail beginning with
FIG. 12.
[0062] Having described the basic structure and function of the a
multi-focal length imaging system incorporating the current
invention, various embodiments of the current invention will now be
described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.
[0063] FIG. 1 shows a lens tray with various lens optical window
openings attached to a motor and an imaging unit. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the motorized interchangeable lens
system 100 includes a lens tray 101, and an imaging unit 107. In
this particular embodiment of the invention, the lens tray 101 is
annular such that there is a hole in the center and the body of the
lens tray contains multiple optical window openings 102 around the
peripheral circumference. Each optical window opening holds a lens
103, a stack of lenses (shown in FIG. 6), a filter, or other
optical element, and a motor 106a, mounted to the annular ring lens
tray 101, rotates the ring about its central axis in order to
position the appropriate lens 103 in line with the imaging unit
107. The interface board 105 receives power and control signals
from the imaging device incorporating the motorized interchangeable
lens system 100. The interface board 105 may be incorporated into
the imaging unit 107, motor 106a, or lens tray 101. One of ordinary
skill in the art would recognize that the interface board 105 may
be placed anywhere without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0064] The lens tray 101 is thick enough to hold either a stack of
lenses, as shown in FIG. 6 below, or single lenses 103 in each
optical window opening at various positions within each optical
window opening 102. For example, one lens 103 may be placed near
the entrance side of the lens tray 101, where the lens cover
assembly 104 is positioned. Another lens may be placed near the
exit side of the lens tray 101 where the imaging unit 107 is
positioned. The relative positions of the lenses 103 or lens stacks
within the lens tray 101 optical window openings 102 are determined
by the geometry of the lens and the configuration of the imaging
unit 107. Lenses of different focal lengths may need to be placed
closer to or farther from the imaging unit 107 in order to work
correctly. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
the properties of the lens 103 or lens stack would determine the
appropriate position within the lens tray 101 optical window
opening 102.
[0065] The motor 106a may be arranged so that the drive shaft is
perpendicular to the plane of the annular ring lens tray 10. A
pinion gear on the drive shaft of the motor 106a engages with gear
teeth on the inner edge of the annular ring lens tray 101. In an
alternate embodiment, the motor 106a is arranged with the drive
shaft parallel to the plane of the annular ring lens tray 101. In
this case, a worm gear on the drive shaft of the motor 106a engages
with teeth on the outer edge of the annular ring lens tray 101. The
lens tray may also have gear teeth arranged on the front or rear
face of the annular ring lens tray 101, and a bevel, spiral bevel
or hypoid gear arrangement would be used to transfer power from the
motor 106a to the lens tray 101. One of ordinary skill in the art
would recognize that any known gear arrangement could be used to
connect the motor 106a drive shaft to the lens tray 101 without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0066] The motorized interchangeable lens system 100 may optionally
include imaging hardware, such as the imaging element, focusing
component, image stabilizers, additional lenses, filters, iris
aperture etc. These imaging hardware components may be housed in
the imaging unit 107 or housed separately. The imaging element may
be any kind of device used for capturing photographic images,
including photo-sensitive film, a CCD image sensor, or a CMOS image
sensor. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any
kind of imaging element could be used without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0067] A focusing component may be any component that allows the
light from the lens to be focused on the imaging element. This
usually involves moving the imaging element toward or away from the
lens, moving the lens toward or away from the imaging element, or
moving a focusing component within the path of light between the
lens and the imaging element. Alternatively a liquid lens, which
changes focal length in proportion to the strength of an electric
field, or mirrors may also be used to focus. In the present
invention, focusing may be accomplished by moving the imaging
element, moving a focusing lens, moving an individual lens or stack
of lenses within the lens tray, or moving the entire lens tray. One
of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any kind of
focusing element could be used without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
[0068] One method of moving the lens toward or away from the
imaging element involves using a voice coil motor design. This is
done by mounting the lens or lens stack into the optical window
opening by using springs. A first magnet is attached to the lens
assembly and a corresponding second magnet is placed outside the
light pathway between the lens assembly and the imaging element.
One of the magnets should be an electromagnet, but the other may
optionally be a permanent magnet. Energizing the electromagnet and
adjusting the current causes the lens assembly to be pulled toward
or pushed away from the imaging element.
[0069] The motorized interchangeable lens system 100 may also
cooperatively interface with a separate imaging system not
integrated into the motorized interchangeable lens system 100. The
lens cover assembly 104 is also optional and may include one or
more additional lenses, one or more filters, or a glass or plastic
cap or cover to protect the lenses in the lens tray from dust and
moisture. The lens cover assembly may be incorporated into the body
of the mobile phone, camera, or other imaging device that
incorporates the motorized interchangeable lens system 100. It is
not necessary that the lens tray 101 be annular. One of ordinary
skill in the art would recognize that the lens tray may be annular,
circular, rectangular, arced, or any shape that is suitable for the
space in which the motorized interchangeable lens system is used,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0070] FIG. 1, and the other figures depicting lens trays
throughout this specification, shows only one lens 103 in the
optical window openings 102. It should be understood that
simplification of the drawings should not be interpreted as
limiting. Any number of optical window openings 102 may be used,
and each may be referred to by element 102. One or more of the
optical window openings 102 may have no lens 103 at all. One of
ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the lens 103 may
generically refer to any lens in the lens tray 101, including a
lens 103 that is lined up with the imaging unit 107, and hidden
from view in the drawing.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows a motorized interchangeable lens system with
two lens trays, which move independently of each other. In this
embodiment of the invention, a first motor 106a controls the
movement of the first lens tray 101a, and a second motor 106b
controls the movement of the second lens tray 101b. The control
circuitry for both motors is incorporated into the same interface
board 105. Independent movement of the two lens trays 101 allows
the lenses in each lens tray 101a, 101b, to be combined to produce
a variety of desirable focal lengths, allowing a focal length that
is suitable for almost any situation. Alternatively, the second
lens tray 101b could carry a number of photographic filters, while
the first lens tray 101a carries lenses of various focal lengths.
When the second lens tray 101b carries photographic filters, at
least one of the optical window openings 102 may be left empty to
provide the user with a "no-filter" option for taking photos. This
would allow the user to pick any of the available filters to use
with any of the available lenses, presenting a variety of choices
to the user.
[0072] FIG. 2 shows only one lens 103, but this should not be
interpreted at limiting. The lens tray 101 may have any number of
optical window openings 102 and zero or more of those optical
window openings may hold a lens 103 or remain empty. Even if all
optical window openings in any lens tray described herein are
empty, the empty optical window openings may still serve the
purpose of providing varying aperture sizes to change the amount of
light entering the imaging unit 107. Although an iris aperture is
the preferred method of changing aperture sizes, a lens tray with
various optical window opening sizes may also be used and may even
be preferred under certain circumstances. Therefore, even a lens
tray with no lenses remains within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. In addition, although the first lens tray 101a
and second lens tray 101b appear to have the same number of optical
window openings 102, this need not be the case. The second lens
tray 101b may have more or fewer optical window openings 102 than
the first lens tray, and the total number of possible lens
combinations could be as many as the number of optical window
openings 102 in the first lens tray 101 multiplied by the number of
optical window openings 102 in the second lens tray 101b.
[0073] The concepts discussed with reference to FIG. 2 may be
further expanded to implement three or more lens trays.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows the motorized interchangeable lens system 200
with the optical window openings 202 of the lens tray 201 arranged
in a one-dimensional array. This arrangement of lenses may be able
to hold fewer lenses than the annular design, for example, before
the lens tray becomes unfeasibly long. However, the dimensions
required for use within something like a mobile phone would be easy
to determine and space within the mobile phone could be easily
provided in a situation where curves might be more difficult to
deal with. The simplicity of the device in FIG. 3 is considered a
fair trade for reduced lens options.
[0075] Motors are not shown from FIG. 3 on, but a variety of
different motor and gear mechanisms which could be used to move the
lens tray 201 into the desired position. The motor 206 could be
arranged perpendicular, parallel, transverse, or in any position
and combined with worm gears, bevel gears, spiral, hypoid, or rack
and pinion gear arrangements configured to move the lens tray as
desired. The linear motor can also be used for quieter or quicker
movement. Alternatively, a piezo motor can also be used to move the
lens tray. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
any motor and gear arrangement could be used without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0076] FIG. 4 shows a motorized interchangeable lens system 200
with optical window openings and lenses arranged two-dimensionally.
As seen in FIG. 4, the arrangement of lenses can be described as
having at least three arrays: one array on the left, one array on
the right containing the optical window opening labeled 202, and
one array in the center containing just one lens 203.
Alternatively, the arrangement of optical window openings could be
described as a first array at the top with just one lens 203, a
second array with two optical window openings just below the first
array, and so on to the bottom array. No matter the arrangement of
optical window openings, their arrangement can be described as
having a number of arrays with one or more optical window openings
in each array.
[0077] In the case of FIG. 4, an x-axis motor moves the lens tray
along the x-axis and a y-axis motor moves the lens tray along the
y-axis. Combining the motion of both the x-axis and y-axis motors
allows the lens tray to be positioned at any of the lenses on the
lens tray. The optical window openings 202 may be of varying sizes
and may even be large enough to overlap into the next row, as
illustrated by the lens 203. This allows for varying sized optical
window openings 202 to be strategically placed within the lens tray
201 in order to minimize the space used by the lens tray 201. The
x-axis motor and y-axis motor are capable of positioning the lens
tray 201 in any position necessary to select the desired lens.
[0078] The system of motors and gears required to move the lens
tray 201 in two dimensions may be somewhat more complicated than
the motor system required for moving a lens tray in one dimension.
However, mechanical systems for moving items on a plane in two
dimensions are available in the prior art and one of ordinary skill
in the art would recognize that any of such systems could be
adapted for use with the present invention without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 5 shows a motorized interchangeable lens system 200
with multiple rectangular lens trays 201. In this particular
embodiment, a more complex motor system would be required in order
to move each lens tray independent of each other. However, if the
lens trays were intended to only be moved in unison, both lens
trays could be moved by the same system of motors and gears as is
used to move a single tray.
[0080] FIG. 6 shows a side cutaway view of a lens stack held in an
optical window opening 102, 202. According to some embodiments of
the invention, the optical window openings 102, 202 may hold
nothing, an optical filter, a single lens, or may hold a stack of
multiple lenses. A stack of lenses used for general purpose, or
somewhat wide angle photography can be reversed in another optical
window opening to produce high magnification of close up subjects
for macro photography. Stacking or coupling lenses can also aid in
correcting aberrations or distortions created, for example, by
differences in the refraction rate of different colors of light
through a material. Stacking lenses can also help in achieving
greater magnification, such as that required for macro, or extreme
close-up photography. When the optical window opening 202 holds no
optical element, it simply does not refract the light. This can be
useful in a variety of situations. First, some lenses or lens
stacks require no other lenses in order to produce the desired
result. This is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 8
below. In addition, the interchangeable lens system may be
configured to allow attachment of external optical attachments,
including, but not limited to, microscopes, telescopes, external
lenses, filters, or other optical elements. In this situation,
lenses on the lens trays may interfere with the desired effect of
the external optical attachment, so an empty optical window opening
would be selected to prevent unwanted refraction.
[0081] FIGS. 7a-7g show various lens tray shapes and arrangements
that can be rearranged to produce a variety of desirable results.
Each of the lens trays may include a reflector 708 such as a prism,
mirror, or mirror system which changes the direction of the light,
allowing for a greater distance to be placed between the refractive
lens and the imaging unit 707 while still maintaining a compact
form factor. Each arrangement, along with some unique properties of
each, will be explained in further detail below.
[0082] FIG. 7a shows a basic arrangement of a lens tray combined
with a reflector 708 which changes the direction of the light
coming through the lens tray. FIG. 7a shows how the reflector may
be combined with a lens tray to provide additional function and
flexibility. The imaging unit 707 is arranged on the exit end of
the reflector, allowing flexibility to increase the distance the
light travels between the lens and the imaging unit 707 without
increasing the thickness of the camera system. In one embodiment,
the interchangeable lens system of FIG. 7a is arranged in a mobile
phone such that the circular lens tray lies flat behind the screen
of the mobile phone. The lens cover assembly 104 is incorporated
into the body of the mobile phone such that the camera opening is
visible on the back of the camera. The reflector 708 redirects the
light along the length or width of the mobile phone. Without the
reflector 708, the imaging unit 707 would have to be oriented along
the same vector of the lens cover assembly 104, as depicted in
FIGS. 1-5, and the thickness of the mobile phone would limit the
focal length possible with the interchangeable lens system. The
reflector provides much more flexibility in the distance between
the lens and the imaging unit 707, and thus flexibility in the
maximum focal lengths possible with the interchangeable lens
system.
[0083] FIG. 7b shows a lens tray arrangement with three lens trays,
showing that more than two lens trays may be used and the lens
trays need not be of the same shape, size or type. The first lens
tray 101a is thicker than the second lens tray 101b. The optical
window openings 102 of the first lens tray 101a may hold a stack of
lenses, as depicted in FIG. 6, or may hold various single lenses
103 at various positions within the optical window openings 102 of
the lens tray 101a. The second lens tray 101b is thinner than the
first lens tray 101a and may contain either single lenses or
optical filters. The single lenses may be designed to work in
combination with one or more of the lenses 103 or lens stacks of
the first lens tray 101a. The third lens tray 201, is a rectangular
lens tray 201. The lenses 103, 203 of all the trays would combine
to produce the desired focal length, and/or optical effect and each
of the lens trays may have one or more empty optical window
openings 103, 203. These empty optical window openings may be
combined with the lenses to produce a desirable optical effect or
focal length where fewer than three separate optical elements are
required to achieve the desired result. The imaging unit 707 is
arranged perpendicular to the lens trays to show that the
interchangeable lens system need not necessarily use a reflector
FIG. 7a 708.
[0084] FIG. 7c shows how a reflector 708 may be used to combine two
lens trays of different shapes arranged on different planes
relative to each other. The first lens tray 101 is in the shape of
a sector, or a wedge cut out of a circle. Light enters through the
lens cover assembly 104 and passes through a optical window opening
102 in the first lens tray before entering a reflector 708, which
changes the direction of the light to be parallel to the plane of
the first lens tray 101. The second lens tray 201 is then arranged
after the reflector 708 and orthogonal to the first lens tray 101.
Light passes through a optical window opening 202 of the second
lens tray before reaching the imaging unit 707.
[0085] FIG. 7d shows a combination of a rectangular lens tray 201,
a reflector 708, and a barrel lens tray 709 that encircles the
imaging unit 707. The barrel lens tray 709 is different from
previously described lens trays 101, 201 because it is not planar.
The barrel lens tray 709 is a cylindrical ring shape with an outer
wall and inner wall. Although FIG. 7d depicts a fully circular
ring, the barrel lens tray 709 may be an arc or sector that is less
than the whole cylindrical ring shape. In other words, the ends of
the barrel lens tray 709 need not necessarily meet each other to
form a complete circle. This type of lens tray is similar to the
rectangular lens tray 201 of FIG. 3, except the planar surface is
curved to form an arc along the length of the rectangle. When the
ends of the rectangle of sufficient length are curved to the point
of meeting each other, a barrel lens tray, as depicted in FIG. 7d,
is formed.
[0086] On the barrel lens tray 709, instead of having optical
window openings arranged along a plane, they are arranged along the
cylindrical wall, and instead of rotating or sliding the lens tray,
the barrel lens tray 709 is spun on its central axis. The reflector
708 makes using the barrel lens tray 709 possible by changing the
direction of the light that enters through the rectangular lens
tray 201. This allows the barrel lens tray 709 to be oriented so
that the overall thickness of the lens tray combination can be
minimized.
[0087] FIG. 7e shows a combination of a reflector 708 and two
rectangular lens trays 201a, 201b, but in this instance, the two
lens trays 201a, 201b lie on parallel planes and light travels
through the reflector 708 before reaching the lens trays 201a,
201b. The reflector 708 opening is protected by an optical cover
window 711 which allows light to pass through, but keeps out
moisture and dust. In this example, the imaging unit 707 would lie
along the length or width of the mobile phone or camera device that
incorporates the interchangeable lens system.
[0088] FIG. 7f is similar to FIG. 7d, but the barrel lens tray 709
is a flexible band barrel lens tray 712 made of rubber, silicone,
fiber, or a chain loop of hinged rigid segments. The optical window
openings 702 hold the optical elements such as lenses or filters.
As the lens tray 712 is rotated to select the desired lens, the
flexible band 712 bends around the rounded corners 713, reducing
the amount of space required to hold the interchangeable lens
system. The rounded corners 713 are configured to have a large
enough radius of curvature so that the rigid lenses can traverse
the rounded corners 713 without jamming or binding the flexible
band barrel lens tray.
[0089] The barrel lens trays of FIG. 7d and FIG. 7f, whether made
of flexible material or rigid material may alternatively have
material cut out of the barrel between the optical window openings,
forming triangular, rectangular or rounded teeth on one or both
sides of the barrel. This makes the lens tray lighter, and/or more
flexible. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
adding or removing excess material from any lens tray described
herein may be done without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 7g depicts a different type of flexible lens tray,
where the flexible band 714 is attached to several optical window
traylets 715. According to an embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 7g, a traylet 715 is made of a tab of material
separated from the rest of the lens tray, but connected to the
perimeter of the lens tray on one side. A lens tray, whether
flexible, rigid, planar, or some other shape, may contain multiple
traylets 715. The traylets 715 may be separated from each other by
gaps in the tray material or otherwise identifiable as individual
portions of the lens tray. Alternatively, a traylet may be a
section of the lens tray that contains two or more of the optical
window openings of the lens tray. A Traylet may also be blank, or
contain no optical window opening. The material forming the
traylets 715 may be flexible or rigid.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 7g, each optical window traylet 715 is
formed from a tab of material extending from the inner surface of
the flexible band. The flexible band can be made of rubber,
silicone, fiber, or a chain loop of rigid segments connected by
hinges. Each optical window traylet is capable of remaining empty,
or holding a single optical element such as a lens, stack of lenses
or filter. Alternatively, the function of an empty window can be
achieved simply by having a sufficiently large gap on the flexible
band 714 where there is no optical window traylet 715. The flexible
band 714 allows a larger number of optical element options to be
placed within available space constraints. One of ordinary skill in
the art would recognize that traylet 715 may also be formed from a
tab of material extending from the inner surface, outer surface, or
both the inner and outer surface of the flexible band without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0092] FIGS. 7a-7g depict various combinations of lens trays 101,
reflectors 708, and imaging units 707 in a variety of arrangements
suitable for achieving desirable focal lengths and optical effects
while fitting the interchangeable lens system within the space
constraints typical of modern mobile devices. One of ordinary skill
in the art would recognize that the various elements of FIGS. 7a-7g
can be mixed and matched to produce any number of additional
combinations without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0093] FIG. 8 shows how lenses in two different lens trays can be
combined to produce a variety of desirable effects. The lens
combination at the top is labeled a macro lens combination. The
combination of lens D 801 in tray 1 and lens E 802 in tray 2
produces a short focal length A, which has a high magnifying effect
on objects brought close to the camera lens.
[0094] The middle lens combination of FIG. 8 is labeled as
telephoto. The combination of lens F 803 in tray 1 and lens E 802
in tray 2 produces a relatively long focal length B which
effectively enlarges objects that are far away from the lens. Note
that the lens E 802 used in tray 2 for the macro lens combination
may be the same lens E 802 used in tray 2 for the telephoto
combination. However, FIG. 8 is used for illustration purposes
only, and is not intended to be limiting. One of ordinary skill in
the art would understand that one lens, either in tray 1 or tray 2,
may be used in a variety of lens combinations to achieve a variety
of different focal lengths for a variety photographic purposes.
[0095] The bottom lens combination of FIG. 8 is labeled as wide
angle. The wide angle combination uses the same lens D in tray 1 as
the macro combination, but the lens in tray 2 is switched to lens G
804. This lens combination produces a relatively short focal length
C that has a wide angle effect on objects that are far from the
lens. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any
combination of lenses, filters, optical devices, or even empty
optical window openings could be used to achieve whatever focal
length or other optical effect is desired.
[0096] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a motor for rotating a circular
lens tray and a system for locking a lens tray in place according
to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the
present invention, a motor and gears may be used to rotate, slide,
or otherwise move the lens tray into a desired position.
Alternatively, a motor as shown in FIG. 9 may be used to move the
lens tray without the need for a system of gears. The lens tray
makes up the rotor 901 of a motor similar to a brushless electric
motor. The central portion of the lens tray rotor 901 has permanent
magnets 908 attached to it and a stator 902 has electromagnets 909
attached. For each lens, there is a corresponding electromagnet 909
and locking notch 904. The locking notch 904 corresponding to each
lens 903 is positioned around the outside edge of the lens tray
rotor 901.
[0097] A magnetic locking pin 906 is loaded by a spring 905 and
interfaces with the locking notches 904 to hold the lens tray rotor
at the desired position corresponding to a selected lens 903. The
magnetic locking pin 906 is controlled by a locking electromagnet
907. When the locking electromagnet 907 is turned on, it pulls the
magnetic locking pin 906 toward it, compressing the spring 905
disengaging the pin from the locking notch 904 and allowing the
lens tray rotor 901 to rotate freely. When the electromagnets 907,
909 are off, they apply no force on the permanent magnets 908 or
the magnetic locking pin 906 and the spring 905 loaded locking pin
906 holds the rotor 901 securely in position by interfacing with a
locking notch 904.
[0098] The appropriate lens 903 can be selected by the following
steps. In step 1, the locking electromagnet 907 is turned on.
Turning on the locking electromagnet 907 causes the magnetic
locking pin 906 to move toward the locking electromagnet 907,
compressing the spring 905, and disengaging the magnetic locking
pin 906 from the locking notch 904. In step 2, turning on and off
the electromagnets 909 in the correct sequence causes the lens tray
rotor 901 to rotate in one direction or the other. In step 3, a
hall-effect sensor, light sensor, or another sensing device (not
shown), detects when the chosen lens 903 is approaching the correct
position. When the rotor reaches the desired position, the
electromagnets 909 corresponding to the desired lens remain powered
on in the correct polarity to stop the rotor in the desired
position. In step 4, the electromagnets 907, 909 are turned off and
the spring 905 pushes the magnetic locking pin 906 to engage with
the locking notch 904 corresponding to the appropriate lens 903.
The locking pin 906 then holds the lens tray rotor in place without
requiring the electromagnets to be powered on.
[0099] Although the above rotation and locking mechanism is applied
to a circular lens tray with a magnetic locking pin, many
variations can be made. The permanent magnets 908 may be replaced
with electromagnets. The relative positions of the stator and rotor
may be swapped. The positions or orientations of the permanent
magnets 908 and/or the electromagnets 909 can be changed, i.e.
placed on the outer edge of the tray, or arranged with the poles
being orthogonal, rather than parallel to the plane of the tray. A
different locking pin design may be used. The locking pin may be
placed on the rotating lens tray. The position of rotor brushes can
be changed. The system may also be adapted for linear movement
rather than rotation. One of ordinary skill in the art would
recognize that many changes to the system could be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0100] FIG. 10 shows a side cutaway view of an electromagnetic
motor designed for an interchangeable lens system using two lens
trays. The first tray 1001 is shown with two first rotor
electromagnets 1003 attached to it. Although two first rotor
electromagnets 1003 are shown, it is for illustration purposes
only, and more electromagnets may be used without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. The first rotor
electromagnets 1003 are powered through the first rotor brushes
1005 which maintain electrical contact with stationary electrical
contacts. The second tray 1002 has two second rotor electromagnets
1004 attached to an extension which passes through the center of
the first tray 1001. The second rotor electromagnets 1004 are
powered by a set of second rotor brushes 1006 which maintain
contact with a corresponding set of stationary electrical contacts.
The stator electromagnets 1007 are positioned such that they will
interact with both the first rotor electromagnets 1003 and the
second rotor electromagnets 1004. As in the system described in
FIG. 9, the electromagnets are turns on and off in the proper
sequence to produce the desired movement.
[0101] The rotor electromagnets may be replaced with permanent
magnets, but in this particular physical arrangement, it is
desirable that the rotor magnets be electromagnets. Unless
sufficient magnetic shielding is used or the rotor magnets are
placed so that they don't interfere with each other, electromagnets
are a preferable option here because they can be turned on and off
selectively, thus making the task of moving one tray at a time
somewhat simpler.
[0102] The above described electromagnetic motor may be adapted or
expanded to move three or more layers of lens trays such that each
magnet on the stator interfaces will all of the rotors. The rotors
may be rotated simultaneously by energizing the electromagnets on
each tray, or the rotors may be moved individually by only
energizing the electromagnet on the tray to be moved. Alternatively
a piezoelectric motor can be used for both movement and locking the
lens tray. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
any motor could be used without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
[0103] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing how an iris aperture may
be incorporated into the interchangeable lens system. The iris
aperture 1101 in FIG. 11 is shown placed between first lens tray
101a and second lens tray 101b. One of ordinary skill in the art
would recognize that the iris aperture 1101 could be place at any
functional position in FIG. 11 or combined with any number of
arrangements depicted or made obvious by FIGS. 7a-7g without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0104] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of the motorized
interchangeable lens system incorporated into an imaging device
1201 such as a mobile phone, camera, or camcorder. The imaging
device 1201 includes a programmable apparatus comprising a
processor 1202 and a memory 1203 or other computer readable medium
for storing program instructions to be executed by the processor
1202. The memory may also be used to store images received by the
imaging element 1204. The imaging device 1201 sends commands to the
motor controller 1205, which moves the lens tray 1207 to align one
of the optical elements 1208 with the imaging element 1204. An
optical element 1208 may be a lens, filter, or some other type of
optical element. Light 1209 passes through the optical element 1208
to the imaging element 1204.
[0105] The imaging device 1201, such as a mobile phone, camera, or
camcorder may have software and/or drivers installed which enable
the user to control the motorized interchangeable lens system
through a graphical user interface, or allow automatic control
through system software. The user need not be aware of which
optical element is used or when it is necessary to change the lens.
For example, on a mobile phone, the camera software would receive
input from the user to apply a filter, zoom in, zoom out, switch to
macro mode, or adjust the aperture size. The device driver, which
may be part of the camera software itself, or other software module
on the phone would then determine how to move the lens tray to
achieve the desired results for the user.
[0106] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart depicting the software method for
interpreting user inputs, determining the appropriate optical
elements and moving the lens tray to the appropriate position. At
step 1301, the software receives user inputs. User inputs are
typically received through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) where
icons, buttons and menus allow the user to choose commands. As an
example the user may zoom using an on-screen slider, a touch screen
gesture, or a software or hardware dial, wheel, or button. One of
ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any method of
zooming may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0107] In a basic camera app, the user often wants to achieve a
certain zoom level in order to properly frame the subject and does
not know or care what camera parameters or lens combination are
used to achieve the desired result. The user will simply stop
adjusting the zoom when the viewfinder or camera display screen
shows an acceptable zoom level. Whatever zoom level the user
chooses, the software will determine what set of lenses and what
level of digital zoom should be used in order to achieve the
user-selected zoom level. The primary feature of the software is
its ability to choose the appropriate lens combination given user
inputs. Although this particular example uses zoom to describe the
software function and features, other camera parameters, such as
shutter speed, aperture size, filters, film speed, etc. can also be
automatically determined based on user inputs.
[0108] At step 1304, the camera software interprets the user's
input. The user's input may include a variety of changes to camera
parameters and will not necessarily consist only of zoom commands.
Therefore, the software determines what zoom level is required from
the user's input.
[0109] At step 1306, the camera software checks configuration
parameters to determine what lens tray positions would be required
to achieve the user selected zoom level or focal length. The
software determines lens tray positions by referring to a set of
configuration parameters. The configuration parameters list each
available zoom level or focal length with the lens tray positions
required to achieve that zoom level or focal length. The available
zoom levels or focal lengths may be stored in a file, array, table,
or simply hard coded into the software. Because the user may choose
a zoom level that may not be exactly the same as one of the
available discrete zoom levels, the software finds the closest
available discrete zoom level that is no higher than the user
selected zoom level. Any remaining amount of zoom is done
digitally. The lens tray positions stored under the configuration
parameters refer to position sensor readings that correctly select
the lenses required to achieve the desired zoom level or focal
length. The tray position may be sensed using hall-effect sensors,
light sensors, barcode readers, motor position sensors, or
determined from the relative movements from a currently known lens
combination. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
there are a variety of ways to sense, or otherwise determine the
position of the lens trays without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0110] Once the lens tray positions are determined from the
configuration parameters, the camera software sends commands to
move the lens tray to the correct position. The camera software
monitors the lens tray position with sensors, and continues sending
movement commands until the desired lens tray position is reached.
Alternatively, the camera software may use current knowledge of the
lens tray positions and send movement commands known to produce the
desired lens tray positions.
[0111] The camera software may also automatically control an iris
aperture incorporated in to the motorized interchangeable lens
system. If the user wants to capture fast action or take a photo in
low light conditions, the user can set the camera to action mode,
or a sensor can detect the low light conditions. In either case,
the software responds by sending a command to the iris aperture to
increase the aperture size and select the general purpose lens. If
the user directs the camera to zoom in using the camera software,
the software will command the motor to move the lens tray in order
to select the telephoto lenses.
[0112] A camera software for more advanced users, or a "pro" mode
may put the user in direct control of which lens and which aperture
size to use. Depending on the optical element options available in
each tray, the camera software may present different options to the
user based on what is available and how the optical elements can be
combined. If one of the trays includes filters, the camera software
may include the filters as an option. If all the lens trays contain
lenses, the camera software can determine what combinations of
lenses are available, calculate each combination's Effective Focal
Length (EFL), and present to the user the available options, or a
spectrum of options without the user needing to select each lens on
each tray individually. When a large number of effective focal
lengths are available through a combination of lenses, the software
may simply allow the user to zoom in and out, while the software
automatically determines and selects the appropriate combination of
lenses while using digital zoom smoothing to cover the gaps between
each discrete level of optical zoom that is available.
[0113] Digital zoom merely takes the photo that was captured by the
imaging element and enlarges it, without changing the resolution.
This means that digital zoom incurs an image quality penalty and,
in extreme cases, causes visible pixilation, blurriness, and
distortion. Contrary to television and movie depictions, there is
no "enhance" command that magically brings out minute details of a
photo that has been digitally enlarged. Therefore, if a savvy user
is concerned about preserving the native resolution of photographs,
the software will allow the user to do away with digital zoom
smoothing, and only use the discrete levels of optical zoom that
are available through the various lens combinations in the lens
trays.
[0114] FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of the lens tray 1401
designed to accommodate lens combinations with long focal lengths.
In addition to the optical window openings 1402 included in other
lens tray embodiments, there are also optical channels 1404 built
into the lens tray parallel to the plane of the lens tray. An
optical channel is a pathway for light created by one or more walls
of material surrounding, enclosing, separating, or otherwise
defining a pathway for light to travel through. An optical channel
may hold one or more optical elements within it to manipulate the
light as it passes through the optical channel. Alternatively an
optical channel may also be defined by a set of optical elements
defining a pathway for light to travel through. One of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that the optical channel need not
be cuboid or rectangular in shape; it can also be cylindrical,
oblong, oval, or any geometric shape. Rectangular optical channels
are shown only for illustration purposes. One of ordinary skill in
the art would recognize that the optical channel need not run
strictly parallel to the plane of the lens tray. The term parallel
is used for simplicity and illustration purposes only and is not
intended to be limiting. One or more lenses, filters, or other
optical elements are placed within the optical channels 1404 to
produce the desired focal length. One of ordinary skill in the art
would understand how lenses, filters, and other optical elements
could be arranged within the optical channel 1404 to achieve a
desired focal length.
[0115] In each lens tray, there is at least one optical entrance
and at least one optical exit. The optical entrance is where light
enters the lens tray and the optical exit is where light exits the
lens tray. When a lens tray includes only optical window openings,
the optical entrance and optical exit are at either end of the
optical window opening. When optical channels and reflectors are
included, the light does not merely pass straight through the lens
tray from face to back, but is redirected through a light path
within the lens tray before finally exiting toward an imaging unit.
In this case the optical exit is not necessarily located exactly
opposite the optical entrance.
[0116] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
central lens 1405 is placed in front of the central reflector 1409.
The central lens 1405 is used in common with each of the optical
channels 1404 and allows the limited dimensions of the lens tray
1401 to be used more effectively to achieve long focal lengths. The
central lens 1405 is optional and one of ordinary skill in the art
would be able to determine the optimum focal length of the central
lens 1405 that is necessary to achieve the desired focal lengths
when combined with the optical channels 1404.
[0117] In lens tray in FIG. 14 is a circular lens tray 1401 with a
hole in the center. A central reflector 1409 is positioned in the
hole in a fixed position and the lens tray rotates around the
central reflector 1409 to line up one of the optical channels
between the central reflector 1409 and the imaging unit 1407. Each
optical channel 1404 has an optical entrance at the inside edge
created by the hole in the center of the lens tray 1401. The
central reflector 1409 redirects incoming light into the optical
entrance of one of the optical channels 1404. An outgoing reflector
1408 is placed at the other end of each optical channel 1404 to
redirect the light into the imaging unit 1407.
[0118] The imaging device incorporating the lens tray 1401 of FIG.
14 requires an entry point for light, such as a camera window,
aligned with the imaging unit 1407 near the perimeter of the lens
tray 1401 and an additional entry point for light at the center of
the lens tray. According to one embodiment of the invention, the
imaging device incorporating the lens tray 1401 of FIG. 14 would
have two camera windows. One camera window would be aligned with
the standard optical window openings 1402 and used for short focal
lengths and the other camera window would be aligned with the
central reflector 1409 of the lens tray 1401 and used for long
focal lengths. The same imaging unit 1407 is used for both standard
optical window openings 1402 and optical channels 1404 because the
outgoing reflectors are aligned with the imaging unit 1407.
[0119] FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of the lens tray 1501
designed to accommodate lens combinations with long focal lengths.
The lens tray of FIG. 15 differs from the lens tray of FIG. 14 in
that it does not have a central reflector, but instead has an
incoming reflector 1510 for each optical channel 1504. According to
one embodiment the invention, the device incorporating the lens
tray 1501 of FIG. 15 has two camera windows. One camera window
lines up with the outgoing perimeter of the lens tray, and is used
for the standard optical window openings 1502. The second camera
window aligns with the incoming reflectors 1510, and is used for
each of the optical channels 1504. When using one of the longer
focal length lens combinations of the various optical channels
1504, light enters the incoming reflector 1510 and is redirected
along the optical channel 1504 and refracted by whatever lenses or
optical devices may be in that optical channel 1504. The outgoing
reflector 1508 redirects the light again to the imaging unit 1507
placed under the lens tray 1501. For the lens trays in FIG. 14 and
FIG. 15, light may enter at either of two different entry points or
camera windows, but light always exits into the single imaging unit
1407, 1507.
[0120] FIG. 16 shows an alternate lens tray with an elongated
camera window 1603 for accommodating multiple light entry points
producing a variety of different long focal lengths. There are
three entry points on the elongated camera window 1603. The first
entry point marked 1 is in the center of the lens tray. Light
enters at point 1 and is reflected through a central reflector 1609
and redirected through an optical channel 1604. At the end of the
optical channel 1604, an outgoing reflector 1608 redirects the
light toward the imaging unit 1607. Once the light passes through
the outgoing reflector 1608, it is in the same location and
orientation as if it had passed through an ordinary optical window
opening 1602.
[0121] The second light entry point is marked 2. There are two
reflector and optical channel arrangements that align with entry
point 2, and they are marked with a 2 accordingly. One of these is
identical to the reflector and optical channel arrangements shown
in FIG. 15. The other reflector and optical channel arrangement has
two optical channels 1604 and a double reflector 1611 joining the
two optical channels 1604. When this combination is aligned with
the imaging unit 1607, light enters the camera window 1603 at point
2 and is redirected through an incoming reflector 1610 along the
first optical channel 1604. The double reflector causes the light
to be redirected 180 degrees back into a second optical channel
1604. At the end of the second optical channel 1604, an
intermediate reflector 1612 redirects the light again toward the
outer perimeter of the lens tray 1601. At this point the light
passes through a final optical channel 1604 before being redirected
by the outgoing reflector 1608 toward the imaging unit 1608.
[0122] In an alternate embodiment, the second optical channel 1604
extends to the edge of the lens tray where an outgoing reflector
1608 redirects light toward the imaging unit 1607. Depending on the
arrangement the light may or may not pass through an intermediate
reflector 1612 and/or a third optical channel 1604 before reaching
the outgoing reflector 1608 which redirects the light toward the
imaging unit 1607. One of ordinary skill in the would recognize
that any arrangement of one or more reflectors and one or more
optical channels can be used to achieve the desired focal length
and the desired optical exit location without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0123] The third entry point is marked 3. Each of the ordinary
optical window openings 1602 lines up with entry point 3, and light
passes directly through the optical window openings 1602 to be
captured by the imaging unit 1607. In an alternate embodiment, a
separate camera window is placed at each of positions 1, 2, and 3.
One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the
arrangement of reflectors and optical channels could utilize more
or fewer entry points at various positions that line up with
optical entrances anywhere on the lens tray 1601 without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0124] FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment of a lens tray 1701
that uses only a single entry point or camera window, but includes
three imaging units in order to accommodate various long focal
lengths with the lens tray 1701. According the an embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 17, there are three imaging units
marked A, B, and C. Imaging unit A aligns with the optical window
openings 1702 of the lens tray just as in the previously described
lens trays.
[0125] Imaging unit B aligns with two of the reflector and optical
channel arrangements where the incoming reflectors 1710 are marked
with B. The first arrangement is identical to the reflector and
optical channel arrangements described in FIG. 15, except the
orientation is reversed. The light enters at the incoming reflector
1710 positioned at the outer perimeter of the lens tray just as it
does for the optical window openings. The incoming reflector 1710
then redirects the light into the optical channel 1704 and the
outgoing reflector 1708 redirects the light into imaging unit
B.
[0126] The second arrangement is similar to the second arrangement
shown in FIG. 16, but again, the direction is reversed. Light
enters at the incoming reflector 1710 and depending on the
arrangement may pass through a short optical channel 1704 before
entering an intermediate reflector 1712. The intermediate reflector
redirects the light through a first optical channel 1704. A double
reflector 1711 redirects the light 180 degrees and into a second
optical channel 1704. Finally, an outgoing reflector 1708 redirects
the light again toward the imaging unit B.
[0127] The third reflector and optical channel arrangement is
similar to the arrangement in FIG. 16, but the orientation is
reversed. Light enters at the incoming reflector 1710 positioned at
the outer perimeter of the lens tray 1701. The incoming reflector
1710 redirects the light through the optical channel 1704. Finally,
the center reflector 1709 redirects the light toward the imaging
unit C. Alternatively, imaging unit C could be moved to take the
place of the center reflector 1709 such that the light exiting
through the optical exit at the end of the optical channel 1704
enters directly into imaging unit C. One of ordinary skill in the
art would recognize that the arrangement of reflectors and optical
channels could utilize more or fewer imaging units at various
positions without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0128] According to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, an imaging unit may be arranged to receive an image
directly from the optical channel without being redirected by a
reflector such as a prism, mirror or mirror system immediately
before. For example, in FIGS. 14-16, an imaging unit may be placed
at the outer perimeter of the lens tray in line with the lens tray
so that the optical exit is on the outer edge of the lens tray. In
FIG. 17, an imaging unit may be placed in the center of the lens
tray and the light would exit the inner edge of the lens tray to
reach the imaging unit. Optical channels may pass through the
center of the lens tray, or extend from one side to the opposite
side and be combined with any number of reflectors to accomplish
the purpose of directing the light toward an imaging element. These
and other embodiments are described with more detail below with
reference to FIGS. 18-21.
[0129] FIG. 18 shows a simple example of a lens tray 1801 which
contains only optical channels 1804 according to one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. Light enters at an incoming
central reflector 1809 and is redirected through one of the optical
channels 1804. Which optical channel the light passes through
depends on which one is aligned between the central reflector 1809
and the imaging unit 1807. This design may also be reversed, where
the incoming reflector is arranged on the outside perimeter of the
lens tray 1801 and the imaging unit 1807 is positioned within the
hole in the center of the lens tray 1801.
[0130] FIG. 19 shows a lens tray 1901 where one of the optical
channels 1904 passes through the geometric center of the circular
lens tray 1901. This allows for an optical channel 1904 to be
longer than the radius of the circular lens tray. Light enters the
incoming reflector 1910 and is redirected into the optical channel
1904. As light exits the optical channel 1904, it is redirected
again toward the imaging unit by an outgoing reflector 1908.
[0131] In the case of FIG. 19, there are two options for
accommodating the different camera window locations for incoming
light with each reflector and optical channel arrangement. The
first option is to have an additional or extended camera window
positioned at or extended to the location of the incoming reflector
when the longest optical channel 1904 is lined up with the imaging
unit 1907. If the longest optical channel 1904 extends to the
opposite end of the lens tray 1901, a second option is available
and the camera window for the standard optical window openings 1902
can be shared. In this case, an addition imaging unit 1907 located
at the opposite side of the lens tray 1901 is required. Then the
lens tray 1901 can line up with the same camera window used by the
other optical window openings 1902.
[0132] FIG. 20 shows an alternate embodiment of the present
invention where several optical channels 2004 are arranged around a
hole in the center of a circular lens tray 2001. Each optical
channel 2004 is paired with another optical channel directly across
the central hole. Light enters the incoming reflector 2010 and is
redirected through the first optical channel 2004a. As the light
exits the first optical channel 2004a, it enters the central hole
and crosses to the other side to enter the second optical channel
2004b. At the end of the second optical channel 2004b, the outgoing
reflector 2008 redirects the light into the imaging unit 2007. The
tray rotates to line up the desired set of reflectors 2008, 2010
and optical channels 2004 with the imaging unit 2007. When an
optical window opening 2002 is used, light passes directly through
the optical window opening 2002 to the imaging unit 2007.
[0133] FIG. 21 shows an alternate embodiment of the present
invention where several optical channels are arranged around a
central optical channel 2104c placed in the center of a circular
lens tray 2101. The central optical channel 2104c is fixed in
position and the circular lens tray 2101 rotates around it to line
up one of the pairs of optical channels with the central optical
channel 2104c. When optical channels 2104a, 2104b are aligned with
the central optical channel 2104c, light enters at the incoming
reflector 2110 and is redirected into the first optical channel
2104a. The light then exits the first optical channel 2104a and
passes through the central optical channel 2104c before entering
the second optical channel 2104b. In this embodiment of the
invention, the optical channels do not end with an outgoing
reflector, but instead exit straight into a first imaging unit
2107a positioned at the outer perimeter of the lens tray.
[0134] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
central optical channel 2104c contains a lens or lens stack that is
common to all the optical channel combinations. This allows the
same physical lens or lens stack to be shared among all optical
channel pairs, reducing size, weight, and material cost.
Alternatively, the central optical channel 2104c may have other
optical elements or have no optical elements at all.
[0135] A second imaging unit 2107b is placed under the lens tray.
This imaging unit 2107b is used in combination with the optical
window openings 2102. In an alternate embodiment, the incoming
reflector 2110 is placed at the edge of the lens tray 2101 where
the optical window opening 2102 would normally be. This allows the
pathway of light to extend across the entire diameter of the
circular lens tray 2101, allowing for long focal length lens
combinations. With this type of arrangement, optical window
openings 2102, incoming reflectors 2110, and optical channels can
be alternated around the perimeter of the lens tray 2101 and only a
single camera window is required as long as the imaging units
2107a, 2107b are positioned appropriately at opposite ends of the
lens tray.
[0136] According to one embodiment of the present invention, two or
more lens trays as described above are combined together so that
light passes through the first and second lens tray before entering
the imaging unit. The first and second lens trays can be combined
to achieve longer focal lengths by using two lens trays with
optical channels embedded in them and an intermediate reflector to
couple the optical exit of the first lens tray to the optical
entrance of the second lens tray.
[0137] Alternatively the outgoing reflector of the first lens tray
can be aligned with the incoming reflector of the second lens tray.
One advantage of combining lens trays containing optical channels
in this way is that a single light entry point and a single imaging
unit can be used for both long and short focal lengths. For
example, the first optical lens tray redirects the incoming light
away from the camera window and away from the imaging unit which is
aligned with the camera window. As the light exits the first lens
tray, it then enters the second lens tray with redirects light back
toward the imaging element where the optical exit of the second
lens tray lines up with the imagine element. Whether long focal
lengths (through optical channels) or short focal lengths (through
optical window openings) are used, the same imaging unit aligned
with a single camera window can be employed for both
situations.
[0138] As illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7a-7f, multiple
lens trays can be combined together to achieve a variety of
combined optical effects using optical elements such as filters,
lenses, lens stacks, reflectors, optical channels, and empty
windows. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any
combination of lens tray shapes, layouts, and optical window
openings, reflectors, optical channels, and imaging units could be
used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. As with the lens trays described above, the optical
channels may house one or more lenses, filters or optical elements
arranged to produce the desired focal length. One of ordinary skill
in the art would recognize that a variety of combinations of the
features described herein is possible and any of the features of
any of the lens trays described herein may be combined with any of
the other features without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0139] Traditionally, a computer program consists of a finite
sequence of computational instructions or program instructions. It
will be appreciated that a programmable apparatus (i.e., computing
device) can receive such a computer program and, by processing the
computational instructions thereof, produce a further technical
effect.
[0140] A programmable apparatus includes one or more
microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers,
programmable digital signal processors, programmable devices,
programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, memory devices,
application specific integrated circuits, or the like, which can be
suitably employed or configured to process computer program
instructions, execute computer logic, store computer data, and so
on. Throughout this disclosure and elsewhere a computer can include
any and all suitable combinations of at least one general purpose
computer, special-purpose computer, programmable data processing
apparatus, processor, processor architecture, and so on.
[0141] It will be understood that a computer can include a
computer-readable storage medium and that this medium may be
internal or external, removable and replaceable, or fixed. It will
also be understood that a computer can include a Basic Input/Output
System (BIOS), firmware, an operating system, a database, or the
like that can include, interface with, or support the software and
hardware described herein.
[0142] Embodiments of the system as described herein are not
limited to applications involving conventional computer programs or
programmable apparatuses that run them. It is contemplated, for
example, that embodiments of the invention as claimed herein could
include an optical computer, quantum computer, analog computer, or
the like.
[0143] Any combination of one or more computer readable media may
be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or
store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction
execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0144] Computer program instructions can be stored in a
computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner. The instructions stored in the computer-readable memory
constitute an article of manufacture including computer-readable
instructions for implementing any and all of the depicted
functions.
[0145] The elements depicted in flowchart illustrations and block
diagrams throughout the figures imply logical boundaries between
the elements. However, according to software or hardware
engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions
thereof may be implemented as parts of a monolithic software
structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that
employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, or any
combination of these. All such implementations are within the scope
of the present disclosure.
[0146] In view of the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that
elements of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support
combinations of means for performing the specified functions,
combinations of steps for performing the specified functions,
program instruction means for performing the specified functions,
and so on.
[0147] It will be appreciated that computer program instructions
may include computer executable code. A variety of languages for
expressing computer program instructions are possible, including
without limitation C, C++, Java, JavaScript, assembly language,
Lisp, HTML, Perl, and so on. Such languages may include assembly
languages, hardware description languages, database programming
languages, functional programming languages, imperative programming
languages, and so on. In some embodiments, computer program
instructions can be stored, compiled, or interpreted to run on a
computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, a heterogeneous
combination of processors or processor architectures, and so on.
Without limitation, embodiments of the system as described herein
can take the form of web-based computer software, which includes
client/server software, software-as-a-service, peer-to-peer
software, or the like.
[0148] In some embodiments, a computer enables execution of
computer program instructions including multiple programs or
threads. The multiple programs or threads may be processed more or
less simultaneously to enhance utilization of the processor and to
facilitate substantially simultaneous functions. By way of
implementation, any and all methods, program codes, program
instructions, and the like described herein may be implemented in
one or more thread. The thread can spawn other threads, which can
themselves have assigned priorities associated with them. In some
embodiments, a computer can process these threads based on priority
or any other order based on instructions provided in the program
code.
[0149] Unless explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the
context, the verbs "execute" and "process" are used interchangeably
to indicate execute, process, interpret, compile, assemble, link,
load, any and all combinations of the foregoing, or the like.
Therefore, embodiments that execute or process computer program
instructions, computer-executable code, or the like can suitably
act upon the instructions or code in any and all of the ways just
described.
[0150] Throughout this disclosure and elsewhere, block diagrams and
flowchart illustrations depict methods, apparatuses (i.e.,
systems), and computer program products. Each element of the block
diagrams and flowchart illustrations, as well as each respective
combination of elements in the block diagrams and flowchart
illustrations, illustrates a function of the methods, apparatuses,
and computer program products. Any and all such functions
("depicted functions") can be implemented by computer program
instructions; by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems;
by combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions; by combinations of general purpose hardware and
computer instructions; and so on--any and all of which may be
generally referred to herein as a "circuit," "module," or
"system."
[0151] While the foregoing drawings and description set forth
functional aspects of the disclosed systems, no particular
arrangement of software for implementing these functional aspects
should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitly stated
or otherwise clear from the context.
[0152] Each element in flowchart illustrations may depict a step,
or group of steps, of a computer-implemented method. Further, each
step may contain one or more sub-steps. For the purpose of
illustration, these steps (as well as any and all other steps
identified and described above) are presented in order. It will be
understood that an embodiment can contain an alternate order of the
steps adapted to a particular application of a technique disclosed
herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall
within the scope of this disclosure. The depiction and description
of steps in any particular order is not intended to exclude
embodiments having the steps in a different order, unless required
by a particular application, explicitly stated, or otherwise clear
from the context.
[0153] The functions, systems and methods herein described could be
utilized and presented in a multitude of languages. Individual
systems may be presented in one or more languages and the language
may be changed with ease at any point in the process or methods
described above. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate
that there are numerous languages the system could be provided in,
and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use
with any language.
[0154] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from this detailed description. The invention is
capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
* * * * *